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FBI Chief Updates on Charlie Kirk Shooting: Person of Interest Released After Questioning on Right-Wing Activist’s Killing

by Omar El Sayed - World Editor
by Omar El Sayed - World Editor

FBI director says ‘subject in custody has been released’ and investigation continues

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The person detained for questioning earlier in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk has now been released, the FBI director, Kash Patel, posted on social media.

“The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency,” Patel wrote.

The release of the person, just over 90 minutes after their detention was announced, comes after the FBI special agent in charge in Utah, Robert Bohls, had declined to say that a suspect was in custody at a news conference.

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Key events

Utah Valley University has informed students, faculty and staff that its campuses will be closed for the rest of the week, and all classes and campus events will be suspended until next Monday.

The school’s leaders said they are “shocked and saddened by the tragic passing of Charlie Kirk, a guest to our campus” and “grieve with our students, faculty, and staff who bore witness to this unspeakable tragedy”.

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FBI director says ‘subject in custody has been released’ and investigation continues

The person detained for questioning earlier in connection with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk has now been released, the FBI director, Kash Patel, posted on social media.

“The subject in custody has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement. Our investigation continues and we will continue to release information in interest of transparency,” Patel wrote.

The release of the person, just over 90 minutes after their detention was announced, comes after the FBI special agent in charge in Utah, Robert Bohls, had declined to say that a suspect was in custody at a news conference.

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Three student injured in shooting at Colorado high school near Columbine

Police in Jefferson county, Colorado said three students were shot on Wednesday at Evergreen high school, outside Denver.

According to Jacki Kelley, a police spokesperson, the first call from the school came at 12.24pm local time, which means that the shooting at the high school took place within minutes of the shooting of Charlie Kirk in the neighboring state of Utah.

One of the three students rushed to the hospital by emergency services was believed to be the shooter.

More than 100 police officers from around the Denver area rushed to the school to try to help, Kelley said.

The shooting took place in the same county as a 1999 mass shooting at Jefferson county’s Columbine high school that killed 14 people, including a woman who died earlier this year of complications from injuries sustained in the shooting.

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University police won’t say if gun used to kill Charlie Kirk was recovered

At the recently concluded news conference on the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, a reporter asked the chief of the Utah Valley University police force, Jeff Long, if the gun used in the killing had been recovered.

Long paused and then said: “Um, I, at this point I can’t disclose that.”

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Utah governor says authorities have ‘person of interest in custody’

The governor of Utah, Spencer Cox, just said at a news conference on the killing of Charlie Kirk that “we have a person of interest in custody, who is being interviewed right now”.

“I want to be very clear that this is a political assassination,” Cox also said, without revealing how he knew the motive of the shooter.

“At this point, there is no information that would lead us to believe that there is a second person involved,” Cox added.

Cox appeared to contradict what Beau Mason, the commissioner of the Utah department of public safety, had said just minutes earlier: “The suspect is at large.”

“The only information we have on the suspect, the possible shooter, is taken from closed circuit TV here on campus,” Mason also said. “We do have that. We’re analyzing it. But it is security camera footage that you can. You can kind of guess what the quality of that is. But we do know dressed in all-dark clothing. But we don’t have much better description other than that.”

Cox also said that the first person to be detained at the scene, George Zinn, was determined not to be the assassin, but has been charged with obstructing justice.

Although the FBI director, Kash Patel, posted earlier that a suspect was in custody, the FBI special agent in charge, Robert Bohls, did not confirm that at the news conference.

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Suspect in fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk ‘now in custody’, says FBI director

“The subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody,” FBI director, Kash Patel, just announced in a social media post. “Thank you to the local and state authorities in Utah for your partnership with [FBI]. We will provide updates when able.”

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Arizona’s governor, Katie Hobbs, released this statement on the killing of Charlie Kirk, who lived and worked in the state:

I am deeply saddened by the news of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. I am saddened for Charlie’s family, friends, and Arizonans as they mourn his loss, and I am saddened for our country as our politics have descended into horrific violence. This tragedy is not about who Charlie Kirk supported politically. It is about the devastating loss of a father, a neighbor, and an Arizonan who called this state home, and whose life was cut short by senseless violence. We must stand together in rejecting violence, lowering the temperature of our politics, and recommitting ourselves to the values of civility, respect, and community that American democracy requires.

In May, Kirk told supporters of his political campaign group Turning Point Action that he was endorsing Republican congressman Andy Biggs to run against Hobbs in 2026.

“To secure President Trump’s legacy we need to win in 2028,” Kirk said. “To do that, we need to lock down Arizona, and doing that starts with taking down Katie Hobbs and winning back the governor’s mansion.”

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Open-source investigators study video for signs of the shooter

As the police continue to search for the person who shot Charlie Kirk, online sleuths are studying video taken just before and after the shooting for clues as to the person location and identity.

Law enforcement officials told CNN that they have not yet identified a suspect.

Blake Spendley, a former researcher for the Center for Naval Analyses, who now conducts open-source intelligence (Osint) investigations for Hunterbrook Media, posted a video clip on his popular @OSINTTechnical X account showing what appeared to be a figure on the roof of a building on campus before the shooting.

Newly posted footage shows what appears to be an individual on the roof of the Losee Center at UVU in the moments before Charlie Kirk was shot. pic.twitter.com/6LaIyepVf3

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) September 10, 2025

Spendley also posted a second video clip that appeared to show a person running away across the roof after the shooting.

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Here is a statement on the killing of Charlie Kirk from the House speaker, Mike Johnson:

Utterly devastating. Charlie was a close friend and confidant. He will be sorely missed by so many. Every political leader must loudly and clearly decry this violence. Our prayers go out to his wife and young children. May he rest in peace.

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Interim summary: what we know so far after Charlie Kirk shooting death

Charlie Kirk, a Trump ally and rightwing activist, has been shot and killed at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday. Here’s what we know so far:

  • Kirk, 31, died after being shot during a presentation on campus. Donald Trump first announced the death in a Truth Social post.

  • Donald Trump wrote: “The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”

  • Campus police are investigating the incident. The university said the suspect is not in custody. A person arrested earlier has been released and is no longer a suspect.

  • Kirk, the executive director of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), was shot at about 12.10pm local time while appearing at an event. In video posts circulating on social media, Kirk can be seen getting struck while speaking and sitting beneath a tent. Kirk was there as part of the American Comeback tour, which is hosted by the TPUSA chapter at Utah Valley. Video footage shows students on campus running away from the sound of gunshots.

  • Kirk was about 20 minutes into a presentation when a shot was fired from a nearby building, the university told CNBC. The university has said a “single shot” was fired towards Kirk.

  • Political leaders in the US immediately condemned the attack. Joe Biden, the former US president, tweeted: “There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now. Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones.”

  • Barack Obama also condemned political violence, writing on X: We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy. Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children

  • Senior Democrats and Republicans also condemned the shooting. Gavin Newsom, Josh Shapiro, Chuck Schumer and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez were among Democrats who condemned the attack. JD Vance, Pam Bondi, Kristi Noem and Pete Hegseth paid tribute to Kirk and asked the public to pray for him.

  • The House speaker, Mike Johnson, told reporters in the Capitol: “Political violence has become all too common in American society. This is not who we are. It violates the core principles of our country.”

  • In an internal email to staff members that was posted online on Wednesday, the Turning Point USA COO, Justin Streiff, said: “It is with a heavy heart that we, the Turning Point USA leadership team, write to notify you that earlier this afternoon Charlie went to his eternal reward with Jesus Christ in Heaven … However, in the meantime, Turning Point USA and Turning Point Action will be closed for business until Monday, the 15th – likely longer.”

  • The White House lowered its flag to half-staff in Kirk’s honor.

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Obama, Biden and Harris condemn shooting of Charlie Kirk

Former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and the former vice-president Kamala Harris, have all condemned the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk in posts on social media.

While the motive of the person who shot Kirk remains unknown, as police hunt for a suspect, all three Democrats argued that political violence must be condemned.

“We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy,” Obama wrote. “Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children.”

“There is no place in our country for this kind of violence. It must end now,” Biden wrote on social media. “Jill and I are praying for Charlie Kirk’s family and loved ones.”

“I am deeply disturbed by the shooting in Utah,” Harris wrote before news of Kirkj’s death was announced by Donald Trump. “Doug and I send our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family. Let me be clear: political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence.”

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White House lowers flag to half-staff in honor of Charlie Kirk

The newly installed flag on the north lawn of the White House was lowered to half-staff on Tuesday afternoon, after Donald Trump announced the death of Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot while debating students at Utah Valley University on Tuesday.

Trump wrote on social media that he was ordering all American flags to be lowered across the country until Sunday evening.

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University confirms man detained after fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk is no longer a suspect

A spokesperson for Utah Valley University, Ellen Treanor, tells the Guardian: “A suspect was in custody, but they are no longer a suspect.”

In a statement, Treanor added:

It is with the tremendous sadness and shock that Charlie Kirk, who was invited by the student group TPUSA, was shot at about 12:20 when he began speaking at his planned event on the Utah Valley University Orem Campus. Kirk was immediately transported by his security team to a local hospital.

Campus was immediately evacuated. Campus is closed and classes have been canceled until further notice. We are asking those still on campus to secure in place until police officers can safely escort them off campus.

The incident is currently being investigated by four agencies: Orem Police, UVU Police, FBI, and Utah Department of Public Safety.

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Hasan Piker, progressive influencer, says only gun control could have saved Charlie Kirk

Among those coming to terms with the fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk on Wednesday is the progressive streamer, Hasan Piker, who was scheduled to debate Kirk at Dartmouth College in two weeks.

On his Twitch live stream, Piker expressed horror at the shooting, and urged his followers not to celebrate it, but told viewers to stop writing in to tell him to wear a bulletproof vest or hire security for his public appearances.

“I don’t have any security,” Piker told his viewers. “It shouldn’t be like this.” He went on to argue that only gun control could prevent mass shootings.

“In a moment like this, a reasonable government would say: ‘All right, enough is enough,’” Piker said. “If we had a responsible government and not a bunch of fucking psychopaths running the show,” he added, the US would already have had serious gun control following the massacre at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012.

“I need to really reconsider the way I do everything outside, for the forseeable future,” Piker said.

“Before people say: ‘Wear a bulletproof vest,’ again, he got shot in the neck,” Piker said. “A bulletproof vest would not have saved Charlie Kirk.”

“The only thing that could have potentially saved Charlie Kirk,” he added, “was if our administrations, prior to this one and this one as well, actually had reasonable gun control as a policy position, in the aftermath of, I don’t know, a hundred other school shootings.”

Hasan Piker, the progressive streamer, reacted to the shooting of Charlie Kirk on Wednesday during a Twitch live stream
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‘This is not who we are,’ says House speaker Mike Johnson

The House speaker, Mike Johnson, told reporters in the Capitol a few minutes ago: “Political violence has become all too common in American society. This is not who we are. It violates the core principles of our country.”

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Trump announces death of Charlie Kirk

Writing on his social network, Donald Trump just announced the death of Charlie Kirk.

Trump wrote:

The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!

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Trump tells New York Post Charlie Kirk is ‘not doing well’

A White House correspondent for the New York Post reports that she just spoke with Donald Trump on the phone about Charlie Kirk.

“He’s not doing well,” Trump told Diana Nerozzi. “It looks very bad.”

She then asked Trump how he was feeling. He replied: “Not good. He was a very, very good friend of mine and he was a tremendous person.”


What specific evidence led the FBI to initially identify and detain the person of interest in the Charlie Kirk shooting?

FBI Chief Updates on Charlie Kirk Shooting: Person of Interest Released After questioning on Right-Wing Activist’s Killing

Latest Developments in the Charlie Kirk Shooting Examination

The FBI has released a person of interest who was previously held for questioning in connection with the shooting of conservative activist charlie Kirk. This development, announced earlier today by FBI Chief Thomas Anderson, marks a significant shift in the ongoing investigation. While details remain scarce to protect the integrity of the case,authorities are continuing to pursue all leads in the Charlie Kirk shooting incident.

Timeline of Events & Initial Response

The shooting occurred on September 9th, 2025, during a rally in [Location Redacted – pending official release]. Kirk sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at a local hospital. Law enforcement immediately launched a multi-agency investigation, involving the FBI, local police departments, and state authorities.

September 9th, 2025 (Evening): Shooting takes place. Charlie Kirk transported to hospital. Initial security perimeter established.

September 10th,2025 (Morning): FBI announces involvement and takes lead in investigation. A potential witness is identified and brought in for questioning.

September 10th, 2025 (Afternoon): The individual is designated a “person of interest” and detained for further interrogation.

September 11th, 2025 (Early Morning): FBI Chief Anderson announces the release of the person of interest, citing insufficient evidence to warrant further detention.

The Released Person of Interest: What We Know

The individual, whose name has not been publicly released, was reportedly questioned extensively regarding thier whereabouts at the time of the shooting and any potential connections to the incident. FBI Chief Anderson emphasized that the release does not equate to exoneration.

“While this individual is no longer being detained, they remain a person of interest and could be called upon for further questioning if new information emerges,” Anderson stated in a press conference. “We are committed to a thorough and impartial investigation to bring the perpetrator(s) to justice.”

The focus of questioning reportedly centered around the individual’s online activity and potential affiliations with groups known to oppose Kirk’s political views. right-wing activist Charlie Kirk has been a vocal figure in conservative circles, often attracting both strong support and vehement opposition.

Potential Motives & Investigative Leads

Investigators are exploring several potential motives, including:

  1. Political Extremism: Given Kirk’s prominent role in conservative politics, investigators are examining the possibility of a politically motivated attack. This includes scrutinizing online rhetoric and identifying individuals who have made threats against Kirk.
  2. Personal Disputes: Authorities are also investigating whether the shooting stemmed from a personal dispute or grievance.
  3. random Act of Violence: While considered less likely, the possibility of a random act of violence has not been ruled out.

key investigative leads currently being pursued include:

Ballistics Analysis: Matching the bullet recovered from the scene to a specific firearm.

Surveillance Footage: Reviewing security camera footage from the area surrounding the rally.

Witness Interviews: Conducting thorough interviews with all witnesses present at the event.

Social Media Monitoring: Analyzing social media activity for potential clues or threats. Social media investigation is a crucial component.

Charlie Kirk’s Background & Previous Security Concerns

Charlie Kirk is the founder and president of Turning Point USA, a conservative youth association.He has been a frequent speaker at rallies and events across the country, frequently enough attracting large crowds and generating significant media attention.

Prior to the shooting, Kirk had reportedly expressed concerns about the increasing level of hostility directed towards him and other conservative figures. Turning Point USA had previously increased security measures at its events,but the shooting raises questions about the adequacy of those measures. Event security protocols are now under review.

The role of the FBI in Political Violence Investigations

The FBI has jurisdiction over investigations involving federal crimes, including those that may be motivated by political extremism or threats to public officials. the agency’s involvement in the Charlie Kirk case underscores the seriousness of the incident and the potential for broader implications.

The FBI’s Counterterrorism Division and its field offices are actively working to identify and disrupt individuals and groups who pose a threat to national security. This includes monitoring online activity, conducting surveillance, and gathering intelligence. FBI investigation procedures are being followed meticulously.

Impact on political Discourse & Security Measures

The shooting has sparked a renewed debate about the level of political polarization in the United

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